Quake survivor with massive tumor dies at 13

FORT LAUDERDALE — A Haitian boy who was treated in Broward County for a massive tumor died Friday, a week after his 13th birthday.

Esthelhomme Peterson's story was compelling: He was an earthquake survivor with a malignant tumor on his neck that severely restricted his breathing.

After hearing about his plight, Lauren Odman, a registered nurse at Broward General Medical Center and founder of the Peace Collective, mobilized a group to bring him from Port-au-Prince to South Florida in early May.

U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., helped her bring Esthelhomme to the United States. Odman also received help from Aaron Jackson with Planting Peace, and from a good Samaritan who paid for his airline ticket.

Esthelhomme was a patient at Broward General for more than a month, getting aggressive chemotherapy. Many donated funds to help him, Odman said, although there is still a $200,000 medical bill to cover.

While the tumor did shrink somewhat, a little over a month ago, the medical team learned the cancer had spread to his lungs.

His prognosis grim, Esthelhomme decided to return to Haiti, and spend his last days among his siblings and other family members.

"Throughout the journey, there were a number of small victories,'' Odman said. She said Esthelhomme never ceased to amaze her with his courage and wit.

Odman, who made the trip back to Gonaives with Esthelhomme, said she was ecstatic that he lived to see his 13th birthday on June 25, because he wasn't expected to make it that far.

She would call to check on him daily, and he was still able to speak and get around until about two days before he died.

Odman said even when she left Haiti about a week ago to return to South Florida, her young friend was optimistic.

"He gave me his blessing,'' she said. "And he told me to bring him a MP3 player when I return.''